CHAPTER 42: Beauty To Behold.

CHAPTER 42: Beauty To Behold.

The moment Luca walked down the stairs and into the living room, Riccardo’s eyes immediately went over the tux and widened in disbelief…Then the disbelief gave way to fury.
“What the hell is this?” Riccardo asked with irritation. “Why the fuck are you dressed like that?”
Luca continued fixing his cufflink, unfazed by his cousin's drama. “I have dinner reservations.”
“Dinner?” Riccardo said with a surprised laugh. “Dinner? With who?”
“With Isabella,” came the cold response.
Riccardo’s reaction was instant and explosive.
“What the actual fuck is wrong with you, man?” he barked out at Luca, clearly not caring about the consequences of his actions. “You were shot two days ago! You’re not even fully healed yet. Vazquez is still out there with a broken ego and probably plotting retaliation…and you want to go on a date?”
“I never called it a date,” Luca replied sheepishly, fighting back the urge to burst into laughter. He actually seemed to be enjoying seeing Riccardo in such a temper.
“Oh, shut up with your excuses, Luca,” Riccardo snapped. “You’re dressed like you’re about to walk a red carpet. That’s a bloody date, or my grandmother is now a virgin.”
Luca chuckled again, a soft and amused sound that only seemed to infuriate Riccardo even further.
“Don’t even start,” Riccardo growled at him, stepping closer. “I’m damn serious…You should be resting, or probably finding out if Vazquez has gone underground or is organizing a counterattack. But instead you’re busy trying to impress a woman who treats you like garbage. You’re risking everything…your life, your empire…for what? To please a woman who wouldn’t even say thank you without biting your head off?”
Luca inhaled slowly, clearly holding back his temper.
“I’m only going to say this one more time," he murmured. “Do not talk about her like that
Riccardo shook his head in disbelief. “You’re not thinking straight. You’re bleeding from an injury you got protecting her. And now you’re taking her to dinner?”
When Luca offered no response, Riccardo dropped his voice
His voice dropped dangerously low.
“You are taking too many risks for an ungrateful woman, Luca.”
That did it…The straw that broke the camel's back.
Luca stormed forward without warning, with unbridled anger flashing across his eyes. His fist was already tightened, and Riccardo instantly panicked, knowing he had pushed too far this time.
But then an unexpected voice suddenly interrupted the moment of tension.
“Luca.”
Both men paused in their tracks…Luca's hand hung in the air, while Riccardo’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Slowly, they turned toward the staircase.
And there she was…Descending like royalty down the stairs, with every step she took making her look like a queen and a goddess all in one. The dress Luca had bought for her was a revelation to behold on her body, and there was a self aware and confident grin on her face.
She took her time…because of course she did. Her chin remained lifted, and her eyes never left Luca's own as she came ever closer to him.
Luca forgot to breathe.
Riccardo forgot how to speak.
Isabella paused halfway down the stairs, letting the moment stretch, enjoying the way both men stared…one in shock and disbelief, and the other in complete awe.
“I’m ready to go,” she said finally in a cool voice. “Whenever you are.”
The arrogance in her tone was unmistakable, and she deliberately refused to acknowledge Riccardo at all…not even a glance. To her, he was nothing more than a noise in the background, nothing of value that was worth noticing.
Her eyes, however, locked onto Luca.
And Luca…He melted. Just a little. But it was enough for Riccardo to see and nearly explode again.
Luca was practically drooling as his eyes ran over her…slowly, her reverently. The dress really fit her perfectly, highlighting every inch of her beautiful body, while the audacious slit revealed just enough of her leg to completely ruin a man’s composure. The color blended with and enhanced her glowing skin, and the soft bouquet scent still lingering on her told him she had picked up the flowers, held them, smelled them… before tossing them across the room in a fit of rage.
Stubborn woman, he thought to himself….Beautiful, dangerous woman.
Isabella paused at the last step, lifting her chin slightly. “Well?” she asked. “Are we leaving? Or do you still want to keep fighting like children?”
Riccardo nearly choked in indignation. “You…”
“Riccardo,” Luca snarled without even taking his eyes off Isabella. His tone was now a warning, a threat, and a command all in one.
Riccardo glared so hard that he looked as if he was going to run mad. But he angrily forced back whatever he was going to say, forcing himself to stand still even though his rage was boiling so hot it practically vibrated off him.
Luca finally stepped away from him.
Each step he took toward Isabella was slow and unsure, but there was something else driving him forward…a pull, a gravity, something he couldn’t hide no matter how hard he tried.
Isabella basked and revelled in it. She clearly loved the effect she had on him…the way he stared as if she was the only thing left in the world that was worth breathing for. And she loved that Riccardo looked as if he wanted to throw something at Luca.
Luca stopped in front of her, not risking a touch, but standing close enough for his warmth to brush against her skin.
“You look…” He cleared his throat, trying…and failing…to keep it professional and not creep her out. “Stunning.”
She smirked and nodded arrogantly. “I know.”
Riccardo made a sound like a strangled chicken sound behind them, but neither of them spared him a glance.
“Shall we?” Isabella asked again.
Luca nodded and stretched out his arm.
She hesitated only long enough for him to wonder if she was about to reject the gesture…before placing her hand on his forearm with the kind of delicate grace that made his pulse throb.
Their eyes met yet again, and an electric sensation swept through both of them. A sensation that triggered dangerous feelings that both of them were not yet ready to confront.
Riccardo watched on with hatred and disdain boldly written all over his face. Luca threw him one last warning look, one that was cold and final, before he finally guided Isabella toward the door.
But Riccardo couldn’t help himself.
“This is a mistake,” he muttered bitterly under his breath.
Isabella glanced back at him, and her smirk widened with cold and triumphant mockery.
“No,” she said softly. “It’s a choice.”
Then she turned away and allowed Luca to lead her out…chin lifted, and with confidence radiating from her like a flame.
Riccardo stood alone in the living room, boiling as he watched Luca and Isabella disappear through the doorway.
He wondered if he was the only one who could see what was going on. Wondered why Luca never saw or chose to acknowledge the plain reality that was boldly written in front of him.
Isabella Lorenzo…
was going to be the downfall of Luca Moretti.
And Luca Moretti…was walking straight into it willingly.